STATESBORO, Ga. - Alumni and friends of Georgia Southern University Baseball  have come together in support of their program at Georgia Southern University to enhance J.I. Clements Stadium.  It is with much appreciation to these loyal supporters that numerous improvements can be seen and experienced by baseball players, alumni, fans and future Eagles.

In total, over $425,000 was raised towards the upgrades at J.I. Clements Stadium. While the donations were responsible for numerous renovations, members and friends of the Eagle Baseball Alumni Association (EBAA) raised over 37% of the funds to spearhead the acquisition of a new state-of-the-art Daktronics video board and sound system - replacing the outdated scoreboard behind left field.  The video board allows for replays, live footage, sponsorship and department highlights throughout the game.  Most notably, the video board pays homage to Eagle Baseball predecessor, J.I. Clements.

Amongst other roles within the Athletics department, J.I. Clements was head coach from 1949 to 1966 and was an Assistant Professor in Health and Physical Education. He lead the baseball team to the 1962 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championship, which was the first national title for a Georgia Southern University team. Clements' coaching career record stands at 320-205 and led Georgia Southern to four NAIA District 25 championships.  Clements was inducted into the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame, U.S. Baseball Federation Hall of Fame and the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He was also voted NAIA National 'Coach of the Year.'  In 1985, the University named the stadium in his honor and while his name is featured on the entrance to the stadium, "J.I. Clements Stadium" now crowns the video board in lights.

Other enhancements include a  new outfield wall, turf in foul territory, refurbished dugouts, a renovated team room inside the Wiggins Building and branding throughout the stadium, such as the Jack Stallings Field.

Jack Stallings led the baseball team at Georgia Southern from 1976 to 1999 and was also an Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology. Stallings guided the Eagles to one College World Series showing, five NCAA postseason appearances, four Trans America Athletic Conference (TAAC) championships and three Southern Conference titles.  He was named the TAAC Coach of the Year four times and was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame. In 2005, Georgia Southern dedicated the baseball field to Jack Stallings and now "Jack Stallings Field" is proudly displayed on the field behind home plate.

Honoring Clements and Stallings was fitting for those who stepped forward to support the initiative at J.I. Clements Stadium.  Supporters include, and are not limited to family, friends and former players of the two head coaches. They include Janna Taulbee, daughter of J.I. Clements and her husband Dan, the Rotary Corporation, including Traci (Nelson) Heilman, Don and Tara (Nelson) Martin and Ed and Jeannie Nelson and program alumni Julio Ayala,  Dennis Braun, Max Braun, Thad Clayton, Mickey Cobb, Butch Davis, Scott Fletcher, Sy Jones, Dave Lavender, John Mallard, Jim Matthews, Sean McNeil, EG Meybohm, Benji Moore, Tim Morris, Blake Nation, Jim Nevin, Foye Olliff, Pete Pasquerosa, Jon Phillips, Steve Stringer, Mark Strucher, Chad Sumner, Darin Van Tassil,  Pat Winchester, Flint Wipke and Mike Yuro.